Lynwood, California

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The census reported that 67,120 people (96.2% of the population) lived in households, 449 (0.6%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 2,203 (3.2%) were institutionalized.

There were 14,680 households, out of which 9,790 (66.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 8,303 (56.6%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 3,266 (22.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,569 (10.7%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,281 (8.7%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 105 (0.7%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,064 households (7.2%) were made up of individuals and 328 (2.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.57. There were 13,138 families (89.5% of all households); the average family size was 4.62.

The population was spread out with 22,977 people (32.9%) under the age of 18, 8,705 people (12.5%) aged 18 to 24, 21,245 people (30.4%) aged 25 to 44, 13,075 people (18.7%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,770 people (5.4%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27.8 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

There were 15,277 housing units at an average density of 3,156.4 per square mile (1,218.7/km²), of which 6,829 (46.5%) were owner-occupied, and 7,851 (53.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 3.7%. 34,023 people (48.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 33,097 people (47.4%) lived in rental housing units.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Lynwood had a median household income of $42,723, with 23.7% of the population living below the federal poverty line. [8]

As of the census of 2000, there are 69,845 people, 14,395 households, and 12,941 families residing in the city. The population density is 5,560.3/km² (14,389.2/mi²). There are 14,987 housing units at an average density of 1,193.1/km² (3,087.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 33.62% white, 13.53% African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.39% Pacific Islander, 46.14% from other races, and 4.36% from two or more races. 82.33% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 14,395 households out of which 63.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% are married couples living together, 20.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 10.1% are non-families. 7.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 2.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 4.70 and the average family size is 4.76.

In the city the population is spread out with 38.0% under the age of 18, 13.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 13.5% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 24 years. For every 100 females there are 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,888, and the median income for a family is $35,808. Males have a median income of $23,241 versus $19,149 for females. The per capita income for the city is $9,542. 23.5% of the population and 21.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 28.3% are under the age of 18 and 14.3% are 65 or older.

Lynwood went through five phases of demographic change in the 20th century. First, a colonial settlement. Second, a farming small town. Third, a mostly working-class white suburb from 1940 to 1970. Fourth, a majority African-American city between 1970 and 1990, and today, a predominantly Latino.

Fire protection in Lynwood is provided by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The LACFD operates Station #147 at 3161 East Imperial Highway and Station #148 at 4262 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, both in Lynwood, as a part of Battalion 13.[10]

On March 20, 2006, former mayor Paul H. Richards II was sentenced to 188 months in federal prison after being convicted in 2005 on numerous corruption charges that centered on his funneling of $6 million in city business - including exorbitant no-bid contracts - to a "consulting company" controlled by him and his family. Richards had served on the City Council from 1986 until he was recalled by voters in 2003; during that time he served seven terms as mayor.[14]

The Lynwood City Council is built of five members. Current seating members:

Mayor: Salvador ala Torre

Mayor Pro-Tem: Ramón Rodríguez

Members: Aide Castro, María Santillan-Beas, and Jim Morton.

Three (3) seats will be contested during the 2013 election: Ramón Rodriguez will retire after the 2013 and Maria Santillan and Jim Morton are running for re-election.